Blast near government office in Imphal

Imphal, Sep 13 (IANS) Manipur’s outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Thursday exploded a powerful bomb near the office of India’s spy agency here, police said. No one was injured in the blast.

Senior police and para-military officials rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

“There was an explosion near the wall of the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) office at Lamphelpat but no one was injured in the explosion,” Imphal district police chief, Konsam Jayanta Singh told IANS.

Security has been beefed up in and around the RAW office.

Singh said a man-hunt is on to nab the perpetrators.

Claiming responsibility of the attack at the RAW office, the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) said its armed wing PLA carried out the explosion as it was aware of the activities of India’s external intelligence agency.

“The RAW collects information about the revolutionary movements in Manipur and sends reports to the PMO (prime minister’s office). It is also responsible for arrest of leaders of various rebel outfits in other countries,” RPF spokesman T. Leisemba said.

The RPF is fighting for the last three decades for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in Manipur.

There are more than 20 rebel outfits in Manipur with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.